USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 63
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In the interest of safety, the Board concerned itself with a study of improved street lighting for Main Street, and after conferences with the Electric Company have requested a budgetary increase to accomplish this desirable objective.
A drainage problem in the Wesltand Drive area, while primarily the province of the Board of Health, still received considerable time and atten- tion from the Selectmen over a long period during the year. The Board has cooperated to correct this situation and a contract has now been let for the construction of measures that it is expected will solve this problem.
A matter which occupied an appreciable amount of the Board's time this past year was a controversy regarding whether or not a gravel pit in the Hill Street area was a non-conforming use pre-existing the Zoning By-Laws. Several hearings were held on this subject and conferences with the Town Counsel and residents of the affected area. Subsequently the residents took the subject to law, and the Auditor's findings have been presented to the judge but a decision has not yet been rendered.
During the past year several meetings were held with the Planning Board, engineering consultants, and Lowell officials regarding improvement of the sewerage situation in town. During this past period the Johnson land on Shawsheen Street was acquired for a new sewage treatment plant in South Tewksbury. The Selectmen sponsored an article at the Special Town Meeting in September calling for a study to be made of a sewage system for the entire town, and the Planning Board is to implement this action passed at the Special Town Meeting. Study is also being given to the matter of whether or not Tewksbury should join with Lowell and Dracut in a Water Pollution Abatement District, an article regarding which is in the warrant for this year's Annual Meeting.
The Board is currently studying several projects which it feels will be of ultimate benefit to the town and its residents.
154
. . . NOTES.
155
. . . NOTES ..
156
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF TEV
S
3
TOWN
JRY
INC
CORP
1734
D
R
TOWN OF TEWKSBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1967
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Open January 2, 1968
Close February 19, 1968
Vacation One Week
Open February 26, 1968
Close April 15, 1968
Vacation One Week
Open April 22, 1968
All Schools Close June 21, 1968
Summer Vacation
Open September 4, 1968
Close December 24, 1968
Reopen January 2, 1969
School Holidays
Good Friday May 30, 31 November 28 and 29
(and such other days as the School Committee may designate)
The School Calendar may be subject to change.
NO SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Schools will be closed only in the case of severe inclement weather. The schedule of no school signals in effect for the school year follows:
A series of 3 sets of 2 blasts (2-2-2) on the horns at the State Hospital and the Tewksbury Fire Department indicate no school at the following times for the groups indicated.
6:45 - No School All Schools. 7:45 - No School - Elementary Schools Only (grades 1-6)
Announcements relative to closing schools for inclement weather will be carried by radio stations WRKO, WCAP, WLLH, WHDH and WCCM.
Pleace do not call the Police Station or the homes of the Principals or Superintendent of Schools for no school announcements. No information will be given over the telephone. Listen to the radio for any "No School" announcements.
158
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mrs. Loella F. Dewing, James Street
Term Expires 1967
Mrs. Ruth Anderson, Whipple Road 1968
James J. Gaffney, Jr., East Street 1968
Thomas L. Nawn, Foster Road 1969
Sidney Jenkins, Tomahawk Drive 1970
ORGANIZATION
James J. Gaffney, Jr., Chairman Mrs. Ruth Anderson, Vice Chairman Mrs. Loella F. Dewing, Secretary
Superintendent of Schools JOHN W. WYNN
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction EDWARD J. FARLEY
Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs JOHN F. RYAN Office: Junior High School
Office open from 8:15 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. except Saturday.
The Superintendent may be seen at his office by appointment. Telephone 851-7347 Secretary: Mrs. Thelma Whitehouse
School Physicians Morris Kelman, M. D., Telephone: 658-4531
Edward F. Duffy, O. D., Telephone: 851-2857 Felipe Novo, M. D., Telephone: 851-7792 Philip Mclaughlin, M. D., Telephone: 851-7082
School Nurses
Mrs. Ora MacLaren, R. N., 135 Livingston St., Tewksbury 851-2198
Mrs. Rachel Killeen, R. N., 778 Main Street, Tewksbury 851-7467
Mrs. Doris Osterman, R. N., 65 Whipple Road, Tewksbury 452-8894
Mrs. Louise Gearty, R. N., 807 East St., Tewksbury 851-2590
159
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The public schools are committed to serving all the young people of Tewksbury - the gifted, the average, and the less academically talented. All are important; each has an inalienable right to do the best he is capable of doing.
To design and support an educational program that will serve all the young people - not in the same way, but in ways adapted to their different capabilities and needs - is a challenge to all people who have responsibility for planning, supporting, and operating an educational program.
The curriculum workshops are providing teachers with the opportunity to work in improving the curriculum offerings in various subject areas. At the secondary level a new program of studies was developed and became effective this past September. Teachers at the elementary level are engaged in developing curriculum guides in the academic areas.
The P. L. 89-10 Title I program, which was inaugurated at the Shawsheen School during the summer of 1966 was extended to Saturday mornings last spring, and expanded into the Junior High School in the summer of 1967. Remedial work in reading and mathematics, along with cultural experiences in art and music formed the components of this program.
The School Committee's sub-committee on negotiations worked on a contract with the Tewksbury Teachers Association's sub-committee on nego- tiations. The final document was approved by the School Committee and the Teachers Association and the contract was signed for a three year period, expiring on June 30, 1969.
The First Baptist Church generously agreed to allow the Tewksbury Public Schools to rent the facilities in the educational wing for elementary classrooms. The same agreement was renewed with the Congregational Church. These facilities are a great help to us in meeting the need for class- room space pending the construction of a new elementary school in North Tewksbury.
De Cartes, the famous philosopher, has said, "The power of forming a good judgment and of distinguishing the true from the false, which is properly speaking what is called Good Sense or Reason, is by nature equal in all men." My colleagues on the school committee have shown me that their purpose is always to assist the youngsters of Tewksbury in arriving at Truth and Reason. I am grateful for their cooperation and service.
JAMES J. GAFFNEY, JR., Chairman Tewksbury School Committee
160
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Honorable School Committee and Citizens of Tewksbury:
Herewith I am privileged to submit my third annual report as Superin- tendent of the Tewksbury Public Schools. Each year as I write this report I make an attempt to comment on all the areas of our total school system which have significant impact on: educational policy, financial responsibility, personnel practices, school housing and facilities, and the instructional program.
While comments on these topics in a report of this nature point out, to some degree, the progress and problems in these specific areas, we feel that a more comprehensive discussion on the educational program is warranted. Therefore, this year I have asked Dr. Edward J. Farley, Assistant Superin- tendent of Schools for Instruction, to work with the principals on a summary of curriculum development and the innovations which have been incorporated in our elementary and secondary schools. I direct your attention to Dr. Farley's report which appears further on in this annual School Department report.
ENROLLMENT AND SCHOOL HOUSING
The school enrollment increased 379 students this year over last. On October 1st, 1967, our total school enrollment was 5530 students. Of this number 3,212 students are enrolled in grades 1 through 6. The Junior High School enrolls 1,311 in grades 7, 8 and 9, and at the Memorial High School there are 967 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. There are an additional 40 children enrolled in Special Classes. It is interesting to note that over the past five years the enrollment in the Tewksbury Public Schools has increased 1,711 students which is a net annual increase of 342 students. If our projected enrollment figure holds true for September 1968 the total school enrollment will be 5,887 students which is an increase of 357 students over this year's enrollment. Of this number, 3,393 students are slated for grades 1 through 6. In a survey of school building needs for Tewksbury, prepared by Dr. John E. Marshall, Educational Consultant in 1966, Dr. Marshall stated that the functional capacity for our present elementary school buildings was 2700 students. This figure includes the use of the physical education playroom at the Shawsheen School for two temporary classrooms, the playroom at the Heath Brook School for two temporary classrooms and two basement rooms in the Old Shawsheen School.
In order to accommodate the excess of 693 students beyond the func- tional capacity of our present elementary schools it will be necessary to place 3 sixth grades (105 students) in the Junior High School and 3 sixth grades in the Memorial High School next September. This will bring the total number of students housed in the Junior High School to 1,499 or 249 students more than the school was originally designed to house at maximum capacity.
161
Report of the Superintendent of Schools . . . continued
Using all of our elementary schools (Heath Brook, Old and New Shaw- sheen, Foster, Center, Ella Flemings and North Street) to emergency capacity, there still will be the problem of where to place approximately 500 students more than our own school buildings can accommodate.
Through the cooperation and dedication to civic responsibility of the members of the Tewksbury Congregational Church and First Baptist Church we have been able to negotiate the use of eight classrooms in the Educa- tional Wings of both Churches. Presently we are housing 222 third grade students in the Congregational Church Educational Wing (East Street Facility) and 205 fifth grade students in the Baptist Church Educational Facility (Andover Street Wing). We plan continued use of these facilities next year and by crowding a few more students in our own elementary schools we will be able to house the 500 students mentioned above. By using this plan for housing our school children, we will avoid half sessions. Granted our class sizes will be larger than we would like, however your School Committee and school administrators are of the unanimous opinion that slightly over-crowded classes are preferable to half sessions. A full school day for every child is by far more beneficial than slightly smaller classes with a shortened school day and an abbreviated educational program.
All of us concerned with the education of the children in Tewksbury owe our appreciation and a debt of gratitude to the members of the Congre- gational Church and Baptist Church for allowing the Public School children the use of these facilities. It has been a mutually pleasant association, with- out which we would not have been able to continue on a single session program in our elementary grades this school year or next.
The new school in North Tewksbury will not give us any breathing space; it will merely house our present elementary students and provide for the anticipated increased elementary school enrollment. This new school should eleminate the need to use our present emergency temporary rooms.
There is still even a more acute problem facing us in school housing. The present Junior and Senior High School buildings are taxed to capacity. The combined capacity for the Junior and Senior High Schools is 2,250 students. By 1968, our projections indicate that we will have approximately 2,500 students in these six grades. By 1969 this enrollment increases to 2,725 students and in 1970 we expect to have approximately 2,925 students in grades 7-12. In this same year we project our elementary school enroll- ment to be 3,425 students for a total school enrollment by 1970 or 6350 students. Eight years from now, in 1975, our projected enrollments show
162
Report of the Superintendent of Schools ... continued
3,750 students in grades 7-12 where we presently have 2,278 students en- rolled. Therefore, we must plan to enroll 1,472 additional students in grades 7-12 by 1975.
By direction from the State Board of Education, Tewksbury is scheduled to establish a kindergarten program by 1972. This program will require 12 additional kindergarten classrooms to house a kindergarten enrollment of approximately 600 students. Presently, the School Committee and school administrators are studying the problem of implementing a kindergarten program for September 1972. The State Department of Education has indi- cated they will be liberal and flexible when it comes to implementing a kindergarten program, provided the community is making an effort to meet the requirements of the department within the spirit of the law.
BUDGET AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
The Tewksbury School Department Budget is the document which con- trols the expenditures of the calendar-fiscal year. In terms of the educational philosophy for the school system and the individual educational and social needs of the child, the School Committee was compelled to make certain decisions in establishing the requested budget appropriation for 1968. The Committee carefully deliberated the educational needs of Tewksbury, estab- lishing priorities for improving the educational program and maintaining the school property. These needs are carefully weighed and adopted as budgetary items only after much research and discussion. The School Com- mittee is constantly aware of the financial ability of the Town to pay for the type of quality educational program they feel the citizens of Tewksbury want for their children.
At the time of the deadline for writing this report the School Committee was not able to complete its Budget for 1968. The reason for this situation arises from the inability of the School Committee to sucessfully negotiate a wage agreement with the Tewksbury Teachers' Association. Since the salary account comprises 80% of the total school budget, it would be im- possible to present any meaningful figures to justify the cost of the educa- tional program in Tewksbury.
At this point it looks as if the School Committee Budget will increase about 16% - 17%. This would bring the cost per child to about $512.98 which is comparable to other communities within the Merrimack Valley.
163
Report of the Superintendent of Schools . .. continued
PERSONNEL
In the Tewksbury Public Schools there are 347 full time employees and 11 part time people for a total staff of 358. The staff breakdown follows:
I. Instructional Employees
Teachers
Elementary 109
Secondary 109
Specialists and Supervisors
Guidance 6
School Adjustment Counselors 2
Reading Specialists 6
Elementary School Music, Art and Physical Education Specialists 8
Librarians 3
Speech Therapist
1
Administrative
Principals 6
Teaching Principal 1
Assistant Principals
2
Superintendent
1
Assistant Superintendents
2
Total 256
II. Non-Instructional Employees
Clerical and Administrative
School Clerks
12
Central Office Staff 4
Custodians, Matrons
Custodians 25
Maintenance
3
Supervisor
1
Matrons
2
Health
Nurses
4
Doctors
4
Visual and Hearing Tester
1
Attendance Officer
1
Cafeteria
46
Total 103
164
Report of the Superintendent of Schools .. . continued
One of our major concerns is recruiting staff at all levels - particularly teachers. In some subject areas such as Mathematics, Science, Industrial Arts and Foreign Languages, it is most difficult to obtain fully qualified and experienced teachers. We have been most fortunate in Tewksbury to fill all of these positions with excellent teachers. Our recruitment program begins early in February when the school principals with Dr. Farley visit the placement offices of about a dozen colleges to interview prospective teacher candidates. From these visits selected candidates are invited to visit Tewks- bury during which time they are further screened. From these colleges and other sources we have been able to maintain a full staff of qualified teachers in all grade and subject areas.
From January 1, 1967 through August 1967, 38 teachers resigned. This is a very low figure for teacher turnover - in fact it is only 16% of our teaching staff last year. A major factor contributing to this very low turn- over is the competitive salary schedule in Tewksbury. It is our hope this low teacher turnover will continue particularly in view of the fact that the teachers' salary schedule will be revised upwards about 12% for next September.
The problem of teacher mobility is a factor facing all communities, it is not peculiar to Tewksbury. As stated previously, the rate of turnover in Tewksbury is substantially less than in many neighboring communities. The following analysis of the 1967 resignations will serve to acquaint people with the reasons teachers leave Tewksbury.
Number
Per cent
Retirement
0
0
Marriage or Family Relocating
10
27
Industry
3
7
Teach in Another System
12
32
Maternity
6
14
Overseas Teaching
2
6
Other Personal Reasons
5
13
-
38
This year we added 20 new professional employees. These additions were made in the interest of improving our school program or for increased enrollment. The following breakdown illustrates the areas for which the new staff was hired.
165
Report of the Superintendent of Schools . .. continued
Teachers:
Elementary 9
Senior High 1
Junior High 3
Specialists in Music and Physical Education 2
Elementary School Librarian 1
Elementary School Adjustment Counselor 1
Elementary Reading Specialist 1
Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs 1
School Nurse 1
20
CONCLUSION
The success of any school system depends upon the cooperation of many people. Any success we may have achieved this year in our schools is due to the efforts of a dedicated staff, loyal administrators and conscientious school committee. It is with deep appreciation and thanks that I acknowledge the splendid work and cooperation of all these people. It is this dedication of teachers to our children and their profession which promotes quality public school education. All members of the non-teaching staff contribute greatly and unselfishly to the smooth operation of our schools. I deeply appreciate their efforts and extend to them my sincere thanks.
The members of our School Committee deserve the unqualified appre- ciation of the entire community. Countless hours are given to school busi- ness by this committee each year and Tewksbury is indeed fortunate to have the fine caliber of individual who serves on the School Committee.
I would like to express my gratitude to other Town officials, P. T. A. groups, and civic and fraternal organizations who have contributed in any way to the development of the educational program in Tewksbury.
President Johnson stated in his State of the Union Message a few years ago and I think it's appropriate for all of us to reflect upon now-
"Every child must have the best education the Nation can provide . . . Thomas Jefferson said no nation can be both ignorant and free. Today no nation can be ignorant and great."
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. WYNN Superintendent of Schools
166
REPORT ON CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
(Dr. Edward J. Farley, Assistant Superintendent)
Knowledgeable educators point out that by the year 2000 the fund of scientific knowledge available to mankind will be 100 times as great as it was in 1900. Our latest science textbooks on the market today will be out of date in five years, and our science teachers must completely overhaul their knowledge every five to eight years just to keep ahead of obsolescence. Since the knowledge explosion is only slightly less severe in the non- scientific disciplines, the implications of these developments for the school curriculum are staggering.
School administrators are beseiged with information, claims, and counterclaims about new curricular concepts in every conceivable subject. The education vocabulary is being enlarged with a bewildering array of initials, abbreviations, descriptive phrases, and other terms denoting various curriculum studies or developments.
In order to keep pace in a unified way with sound curriculum innova- tions, the school committee has provided one Tuesday afternoon each month, by means of an early student dismissal, during which teachers have an opportunity to assemble for curriculum work. At the secondary level the work is carried on in various subject areas with department heads as chair- men. At the elementary level each principal serves as chairman of a parti- cular elementary subject area. The superintendent of schools, assistant super- intendent, and secondary principals serve as consultants and coordinators.
The excellent progress attained in various subject areas is due to the interest and sincere efforts of Tewksbury's principals, department heads, guidance personnel, and teachers. I am certain that this spirit of coopera- tion will continue and I am grateful for it.
Space limitations prevent an in depth - report on all the curriculum work being done. Thus the reports that follow have been structured as a summary report on a curriculum area in the Senior High School and elementary schools, and an extended report on curriculum developments at the Junior High School.
167
Curriculum and Instruction ... continued
PROGRAM OF STUDIES Tewksbury Memorial High School (Lawrence R. McGowan)
Our Program of Studies, under constant revision during the past two years was adopted in September. It permits changes as needed without a major reorganization of the entire program. Several classes have been added, the most significant of which are accelerated math, modern science, senior science seminar, and many of the fine arts. The program is designed to meet three basic needs: cultural, civic, and vocational.
It is organized on the basis of six years of secondary education starting with grade 7 at the Junior High School. Although the Junior and Senior High Schools are separate units, a very close articulation prevails between the two.
Tewksbury Memorial High School can be classified as a comprehensive school inasmuch as its program attempts to correspond to the educational needs of all the youth in the community. Therefore, it is necessary to give adequate consideration to the types of programs which develop special skills useful immediately upon graduation from high school as well as those pro- grams which prepare pupils who plan to continue their education beyond high school. Our program is geared for those students who desire to enter a four year college or university; to provide a general education for all; and at the same time to present good elective programs for those who wish to use these acquired skills immediately upon leaving high school.
The group of subjects generally required for admission to institutions beyond high school constitute the background of our curriculum. The success of the graduates who go to college give proof of the strength of the college preparatory work at the Tewksbury Secondary Schools. The review, evalua- tion, and revision of our Program continues relentlessly. This we feel is absolutely necessary in order to meet the additional needs of all of our pupils. Our Department Heads, members of the Guidance Department, and all faculty members were involved in this endeavor. It has long been the philosophy of this school to provide each individual with the basic skills and knowledge which will enable that individual to proceed with whatever type of education his ability warrants. It is a constant challenge to translate this philosophy into achievement, but with the continuation of loyalty and interest that our faculty has shown, we face this challenge with confidence.
When only a few of the children who completed elementary education went on to High School, a relatively narrow course of study met their needs fairly well. Now that the High School must offer a worthwhile program for all the children of all the people, a much broader and flexible curriculum is demanded. This has been accomplished at Tewksbury Memorial High School.
168
Curriculum and Instruction . . . continued
CURRICULUM INNOVATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Tewksbury Junior High School (Richard J. Griffin)
Many of the changes and additions in the course offerings of the new program of studies were made on the basis of a twofold purpose at this level:
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